Agro-morphological and Quality Trait Analysis in Popcorn ( Zea mays var. everta ): Unveiling Genotypic Potential
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The popularity of popcorn as a snack is on the rise and it is now widely consumed across the globe. A study was conducted on 23 popcorn lines in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in the research field of the National Maize Research Program (NMRP), Chitwan, Nepal to determine variability for popping ability in popcorn genotypes, grain yield, genetic parameters and study relationship among agronomic and popping quality traits. The popping percentage ranges from 58 percent (Australia Thulo Dana (Y)) to 92.67 percent (Bhimnagar local) and Flake Volume ranged from 82.67 cm3 (Pop45/pool-17) to 403.35 cm3 (Bhimnagar local). Means for grain yield ranged from 2.21 t/ha (popcorn Y + W (w)) to 5.39 t/ha (Pop45/pool-17). As a result, the improvement of popcorn should focus on identifying lines with an acceptable level of popping ability while also improving their grain yield and yield attributes. Pop45/pool-17 produced a higher grain yield whereas Bhimnagar local and Jumle show high popping ability. So these genotypes could be used for future popcorn breeding programs. Overall, this research highlights opportunities for further breeding progress in popcorn maize through selective breeding techniques.
Source: Cogent Food & Agriculture
Authors: Sunil Banjara, Sujan Lamichhane, Krishna Hari Dhakal, Chitra Bahadur Kunwar, Saugat Gautam
Institution: Agriculture and Forestry University
Language: English
Topic: Genetics and Plant Breeding
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4411280062